Electrolytic cell



:1 1,485,473 H. I. ALLEN ELECTROLYTIC CELL Filed March 14, 1922 2Sheets-Sheet 2 March 4 1924.

Patented Mar. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT I. ALLEN, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRON CHEMICAL COM-PANY. OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

Application filed March 14, 1922. Serial No. 543,677.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT I. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Portland. in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine,have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Cells, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates toelectrolytic cells particularly intended forthe so-called nonsuhmerged cathode and diaphragm type such as are usedfor decomposition of electrolytes. as for example, brine in theformation of caustic soda. As commonly constructed these cells areprovided with gas chambers or freehoard portions above the tops of thecathodes.

A primary feature of this invention rclates to a construction by which agas and liquid tight joint may be maintained between the freeboard orgas chamber and the lower portion, but which permits ready separation ofthese parts whenever this becomes desirable. This permits the supply ofsuflicient electrolyte so that it extends into the freeboard section tofurnish a hydrostatic head for increasing the flow of electrolytethroughthe diaphragm adjacent the cathode, as this diaphragm becomesincreasingly clogged with impurities during the operation of the cell.

Further features will appear from a description of the embodiment shownin the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a top plan of thecell.

Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section on line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 isa vertical section on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar section on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an end elevation looking in the direction of the arrow A onFigure 2.

As shown in the drawings the cell comprises a lower section or partcomprising an open topped rectangular tank at 1 to the top edge of whichabout the margin of the sides and ends is an inwardly extending flange 2which may comprise one of the flanges of an angle iron portion 3madefast at intervals to the wall of the tank. Within this tank"ispositioned a cathode ii-preferof iron or similar material havingforaniinous sides and ends, and-supported from the base of the tank 1 atintervals by supports 5 of glass, porcelain, or other suitable material.The top of the cathode is turned outwardly at 6 to rest on a gasket 12overlying the flange 2 and throughout a portion of its length may bebent upwardly outwardly of the tank 1 as shown at 7 to form connectingportions to which negative buss bars 8 may be attached as by means ofbolts 9.

Positioned on the inner face of the cathode is a diaphragm 10 formed ofasbestos sheets or other material through which electrolyte may passinto contact with the cathode and through the openings in this cathodeto the bottom of the tank 1 from which the efiluent flows off through apipe 11 positioned at one end of the tank. The upper edge of thediaphragm is turned outwardly to rest on the outwardly turned portions 6of the cathode, this construction serving to hold the diaphragm inplace. Adapted to be supported from the flange 2, the gasket,-cathodeand diaphragm being interposed therebetween, is the freeboard section ofthe cell. While the diaphragm). may serve as a gasket between thefreeboard section and the tank top, an additional gasket member 13 maybe interposed therebetween if desired. 7

The freeboard section is composed of slabs or plates 20 of slate,concrete, or other inert material which will not be affected by theelectrolyte or gas evolved therefrom. .The upper edges of these slabsare recessed to form a seat for a cover 21 which is made of similarmaterial and about the edges of which may be positioned a suitablepacking 22 to maintain a fluid and gas tight joint with the side and endwalls of the freeboard section.

Within the diaphragm 10 and the cathode 4 are positioned the anodeswhich as shown comprise a series of carbon or graphite plates 30 madefast on either side of a series of upright posts 31 ofthe same materialwhich extend upwardly through openings in the cover, packings beinginterposed at 32 between the cover and posts to. maintain a tight jointtherebetween. The anodes laresupported in pos tion by. means pi e seriesof porcelain or glass blocks 35 positioned at intervals throughout thelength of the cell and shaped to t the lower edges of the lowest pair ofplates 30.

The top of each post 31 has fixed therein conductors 40 WhICh are alsofixed to a positive buss bar 41 supported at one side of the posts 31 bymeans of brackets 42 fixed thereto by bolts 43. This buss bar 41preferably tapers lengthwise, the larger end thereof being connected toa buss bar 45, and the negative buss bars 8 may be connected at one endby a bridge 46 to which is made fast the buss bar 47.

In order to retain the freeboard section fixed to the lower or tanksection to maintain a gas tight joint between the top of the tank andthe cathode and a fluid tight joint between the cathode and freeboardsection, clamping members are provided. These clamping members comprisea series of hooks 5O havin their outer ends downwardly directed an whichare passed through the upper portion of the tank 1 and through themating flange of the angle iron 3. Eye bolts as 51 may be engaged overthe hooks 50, the eyes therein being of sufficient size to permit thebolts to be swung upwardly mto vertical position, shown in full lines inFigures 3 and 4 from the portion shown in dotted lines on the right handside of Figure 4 so that they may be readily placed on or removed fromthe hooks. The upper ends of these eye bolts are threaded and they aredesigned to be inserted through perforations in the opposite ends of aseries of clam ing bars 52 which extend laterally across t e top of thefreeboard section between the anode posts 31. These clam ing bars 52 maybe urged downwardly to orce the freeboard section into tight engagementwith the lower or tank section by means of nuts 53 threaded on theirupper ends. By the use of the eye bolts it is seen that the freeboardsection will be clamped firmly under pressure to the lower tank sectionto insure a gas and ii uid proof joint, the joint between the free oardsection and the cathode being subjected to liquid pressure from thehydrostatic head of the electrolyte, while the joint between the tankand cathode is subjected to gas pressure resulting from thedecomposition of the electrolyte at the cathode, but that it may bereadily disconnected therefrom whenever desired so that the freeboardsection. may be removed and access had to the interior of the cellwithout diificulty.

An suitable means may be provided for mtro ucing electrolyte into thecell, as shown such means comprising a float valve 60, shown in sectionin Figure 2, the float thereof being movable in a tubular guide 61,

and the valve engaging a suitable seat on the lower end of a pipe 62. At7 0 is shown a float indicator by which the level of the electrolytewithin the cell may be accurately known.

While a rectangularly sha ed cell has been herein shown, it will be evient that the invention is not limited to any particular configuration.

Having thus described an embodiment of this invention it should beevident to those skilled in the art that many changes and modificationsmight be made therein without departing from its spirit or scope asdefined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A11 electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathode havingan outwardly directed flange at its upper portion overlying said tank,an anode positioned within said cathode, and a freeboard section restingon said flange and made fast to said tank to form a liquid tight jointwith said cathode.

2. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathodesupported within said tank, an anode within said cathode, and afreeboard section attached to said tank and making a liquid tight jointwith said cathode.

3. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathodesupported within said tank, an anode within said cathode, and afreeboard section attached to said tank and held under pressure againstsaid cathode to make a liquld tight joint therewith.

4. An electrolytic cell comprising a box shaped foraminous cathode, adiaphragm within said cathode for containing electrolyte, an anodewithin said diaphragm, a tank in which said cathode and diaphragm aresupported to receive the effluent from the electrolyte, and a freeboardsection extending above said cathode and attached to said tank, making agas tight joint between the cathode and the top of said tank.

5. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathodesupported therein from the top of said tank, an anode within saidcathode, and a freeboard section supported by said tank and fixedthereto to insure a gas tight joint between the top of said tank andsaid cathode.

6. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathodesupported therefrom from the top of said tank, an anode within saidcathode, and a freeboard section supported by said tank and held theretounder pressure to insure a gas tight joint between the top of said tankand said cathode.

7. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank, a box shaped cathodesupported therein from the top of said tank, an anode within saidcathode, and a freeboard section made fast to said tank and effecting aliquid tight joint with said cathode and a gas tight joint between saidcathode and tank.

8. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank having an inwardly extendingmarginal flange at its top, a box shaped foraminous cathode extendinginto said tank and having an outwardly turned flange overlying the tankflange, a diaphragm within said cathode and having a portion overlyinsaid cathode flange, an anode Within sai diaphragm, a freeboard section,and means for clamping the cathode flange and diaphragm portion betweensaid tank flange and free board section to insure a liquid tight jointbetween said freeboard section and cathode and a gas tight joint betweensaid cathode and tank.

9. An electrolytic cell comprising a tank having an inwardly extendingmarginal flange at its top, a gasket overlying said flange, a box shapedformanious cathode extending into said tank and having an outwardlyturned flange overlying said gasket, a diaphragm within said cathode andhaving a portion overlying said cathode flange, an anode within saiddiaphragm, a freeboard section, and means for clamping the cathodeflange diaphragm portion and gasket between said tank flange andfreeboard section to insure a liquid tight and a gas tight joint betweensaid cathode and tank.

10. In an electrolytic cell, a tank, a cathode within said tank andsupported by the top thereof, a freeboard section supported on saidcathode, an anode extending through said freeboard section and Withinsaid cathode, and means for clamping said freeboard section to said tankto provide a liquid tight joint between said freeboarda section andcathode and a gas tight joint within said cathode and the top of saidtank.

11. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank, a cathodeand an anode within said tank, a freeboard section resting on the top ofsaid tank, and means for clamping said freeboard section to said tank.

12. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank, a cathodeand an anode within said tank, said tank having an inwardly extendingmarginal flange at its top, a freeboard section supported by saidflange, a bar extending across the top of said freeboard section, andtie elements extending from said bar at either side of said freeboa-rdsection and engagin said tank.

13. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank, a cathodeand an anode within said tank, a freeboard section resting on the top ofsaid tank, clamping bars resting on the top of said treeboard section,and eye bolts pivoted to said tank and movable into and out ofengagement with said bars to detachably clamp said freeboard section inliquid and gas sealing engagement with said tank.

14. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank, a cathodeand an anode within said tank, a freeboard section resting on the top ofsaid tank, a series of downwardly directed hook elements spaced alongthe upper margin of said tank, bars extending across the top of saidfreeboard section, eye bolts having their eyes engageable over saidhooks and passed through perforations in the ends of said bars, and nutsthreaded on the ends of said bolts and movable to engage the bars toclamp said freeboard section to said tank.

15. In a device of the class described, an open topped tank having aninwardly extending marginal flange at its upper edge, a box shapedformanious cathode extendin into said tank and having an outwardlydirected marginal flange at its top overlying said tank flange, adiaphragm lining the interior of said cathode and overlying said cathodeflange, a freeboard section resting on said flanges, an anode withinsaid diaphragm and projecting through said freeboard section, a barextending across the top of said freeboard section, hooks extendingoutwardly from said tank adjacent its upper edge, eye bolts engagingsaid hooks and passing through perforations in said bar, and nutsengaging the upper ends of said bolts above said bar for clamping saidfreeboard section in position to form a liquid tight joint between saidcathode and freeboard section and a gas tight joint between said cathodeand said tank flange.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

HERBERT I. ALLEN.

